A WOMAN faces a court battle after being hit with £18,500 fines for parking outside her own garage.

But she couldn’t believe it when she was sent a formal letter by a private parking firm demanding she pay £18,500 to cover all the charges.

Bosses acting for the private development’s factors insist Carly should have bought a permit and they have begun legal action to recover the cash.

Carly, who lives with her mother and stepfather in Dundee, said she’ll fight Sheffield-based Vehicle Control Services LTD.

She said: “We’ve a right to park in front of our own property.

"I’ve considered moving out as it makes my life hellish.

“I always park in front of my own garage, where nobody else could park, and never on the double yellow lines.”

We have had no alternative but to initiate court action

Vehicle Control Services LTD spokesman

She has been parking her Mini on cobbles in front of her garage for a year.

Carly claims that other cars parked in the same spot have not received penalty notices.

She said of the daily fines: “To try to stop them we asked how much it would cost to rent the space, and were told it would be £40 a month.”

Carly was also fined by Dundee City Council but after she appealed it reversed the decision.

Vehicle Control Services LTD last night insisted Carly had repeatedly parked in a restricted area without a valid permit.

A spokesman added: “In the absence of contact from her, along with her continuing to contravene the terms and conditions of this site, which we are contractually bound to enforce, we have had no alternative but to initiate court action.”